voice - AIDS Services Foundation Orange County

THE
aug-Oct 2009
Vol. 20 • No. 3
www.ocasf.org
VOICE
a publication of
AIDS Services Foundation Orange County
Friday, September 25
& Saturday, September 26
Splashin’ In Style
Cover story, p. 8-9

Inside this issue
FEATURES
Act Against AIDS ........................................................... 4
ASF Family Reunion ..................................................... 7
Big Splash – Going Out in Style ................................... 8-9
Friends of Dorothy Launch Fundraising Season ........ 10-12
OC AIDS Walk ........................................................... 13
Pursuing a Renewed National HIV/AIDS Strategy .......... 14
DEPARTMENTS
Letter from the Executive Director .................................. 3
Letter from the Board President .................................... 4
HIV in the News ............................................................. 5
Donors & Supporters .......................................... 6, 12, 15
Memorials, Tributes & Grants........................................ 15
Save the Dates ............................................................. 16
Our Mission
The mission of AIDS Services Foundation is to prevent the spread of HIV
and improve the lives of men, women and children affected by HIV/AIDS
in Orange County.
Our Story
A small group of volunteers founded AIDS Services Foundation Orange County
(ASF) in the late summer of 1985 because people were dying, had nowhere to turn,
and desperately needed help. ASF is now the largest and most comprehensive
non profit HIV/AIDS service provider in Orange County, with a staff of over 60
committed and caring individuals, a 19-member Board of Directors, and hundreds of
dedicated volunteers.
Each year, ASF helps more than 1,600 men, women and children, along with their
families, that are either living with HIV or are impacted by HIV disease. Services
include food, transportation, housing, case management, emergency financial
assistance, children and family programs, Latino outreach programs, mental health
counseling, support groups, HIV testing, and an extensive array of HIV prevention
and education programs. We hope for a time when these services are no longer
needed. Until then, we work hard each day to prevent the spread of HIV and to
ensure that everyone living with HIV and AIDS in Orange County has access to
life-enhancing care and services.
Officers
Maria Marquez, M.F.T.
President
Barbara Venezia
Vice President
Mark Guillod, C.P.A.
Treasurer
Mark Gonzales
Secretary
Members
David W. Bennett,
C.F.P., C.L.U.
Frank Bianchini
Terry Delonas
Hung Fan, Ph.D.
Megan Gorman
Arnold Henson, M.D.
Ken Jillson
Abigail Lloyd
Al Roberts
Jorge Rodriguez, M.D.
Arash Samadani
Patrick Stanton
Ed Todeschini
Duane Vajgrt, M.D.
Founding
President
Al Roberts
Board of Directors
Executive Director
Philip Yaeger
Advisory Board
The Honorable
Marilyn C. Brewer, Chair
State Assembly, Retired
Barbara Boxer
U.S. Senator
Dean Corey
Executive Director,
O.C. Philharmonic
Society
Ron Davies
Business Executive
Dianne Feinstein
U.S. Senator
Bill Gillespie
Robert Haskell
President, Pacific Life
Foundation
Janice Johnson
Arnold W. Klein, M.D.
Marica Pendjer
Anita May Rosenstein
Business Executive
The Honorable
Loretta Sanchez
U.S. Congresswoman
Rick Silver
Business Executive
Stan Tkaczyk
Dick Weil
Managing Director,
PIMCO
In Memoriam
Roger Johnson
Advisory Board
Founding Chair
www.ocasf.org • www.ocaidswalk.org
17982 Sky Park Circle, Suite J, Irvine, CA 92614 • (949) 809-5700
AUG-OCT, 2009 Vol. 20 No. 3
Editor:
Barbara Lohman
Associate Editor:
Tahereh Jaafari
Photography Intern:
Rhett Roback
Design & Layout: King Graphic Design
Printing Services: Richard Baca, Printing Division

From Philip Yaeger, Executive Director
Many of you have likely followed the state of California
budget saga this year. After weeks of stalemate we finally
have one – but not without significant cost. Some quick
background: In May, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
proposed a budget cut of $80.1 million to eliminate state
funding for California’s HIV/AIDS programs administered
through the state’s Office of AIDS Prevention and
Treatment.
The governor’s proposed budget cut would have eliminated
state funding of most prevention, education and surveillance
programs that help fight and track the disease. The cut would have
affected HIV testing, types of drugs available to the poor and
prevention programs that target those most at risk of contracting
the HIV virus.
On June 10 busloads of protesters from across California
converged on the state Capitol to rally on behalf of HIV/AIDS
funding. Their efforts were somewhat successful. The joint
legislative budget committee rejected the Governor’s plan to cut
$80.1 million from HIV/AIDS programs, and instead the committee voted to reduce the
$80.1 million proposed cut to $33.5 million. So while not perfect, the joint committee did essentially
spare HIV/AIDS services.
After weeks of wrangling the budget impasse was broken and a compromise was reached and agreed
to by state representatives and the governor. But as he was signing the budget July 28 the governor
decided to use his veto power to re-visit some programs – including HIV/AIDS funding. The bottom
line: another $489 million in additional cuts in education, health care and state parks among others were
made – including another $52 million for HIV/AIDS.
This cut means there will be no state spending on HIV/AIDS prevention, testing or education or
housing services for people living with the disease. The state will continue paying for AIDS medications
and tracking of the epidemic. The shortsightedness of this should not be lost on anyone regardless of
how they feel about the budget process and politics. The simple fiscal truth is it is far less expense to
prevent HIV/AIDS in the first place than the cost of caring for someone with the disease. The state will
still be responsible for the care of many of these patients, estimated by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation
at about $600,000 over the course of their lifetime.
No one knows for certain what the ultimate outcome will be. But it is safe to say these cuts will impact
ASF and every other organization in the state serving people with HIV/AIDS. Clearly we have our work
cut out for us. But we’ve been here before. ASF was founded by a small group of people who saw an
emerging but unattended crisis growing in the community. I’m confident our Board, donors, staff and
volunteers will do everything possible to ensure ASF continues to serve the needs of people living with
HIV/AIDS in Orange County. d
THE VOICE aug-oct 09 3

Letter from the Board President
Act Against AIDS
These are the “lazy
days of summer”;
however, given the
flurry of activity
at ASF it’s been
anything but lazy.
We have moved
quickly through
a series of events
starting with the
Lexus Cinco de
Mayo celebration,
OC AIDS Walk, the Family Reunion, the Macy’s
Fashion Show, Laugh out Loud and have had lots
of fun along the way. Next up, the Final Splash!
Through it all we have been very fortunate to have
the continued support of our dedicated staff, long
time volunteers and donors. We have also enjoyed
meeting and welcoming new supporters willing
to help us raise funds so that we can continue to
provide critically needed services to those affected
by HIV and AIDS.
Behind the scenes we have grappled with
anticipated state budget cuts and IOUs and have
been confronted with hard questions. How else can
we reduce costs, how much service can we afford to
provide and which are the most important?
In the current economic environment, most
nonprofit organizations face the same challenge,
but so do families and businesses. Unfortunately
their needs have also impacted ASF. It’s that
awareness that makes me most grateful to those of
you that have been able, and chosen, to continue
to support ASF.
To new friends, donors and volunteers –
your arrival could not have been at a more
critical time. The support from foundations,
corporations, small businesses, individual
contributions and volunteers has made it possible
for us to sustain our core services and continue
to make a difference. Thank you to each and
all. Enjoy the rest of your summer and I look
forward to seeing you at the Big Splash Finale
in September! d
–Maria Marquez, President of the ASF Board
4 THE VOICE aug-oct 09
Obama Administration Announces
National HIV/AIDS Campaign Act Against
AIDS - First communications effort in
more than a decade
According to the White House, every 9½ minutes
another person in America becomes infected with
HIV. Officials from the White House, Department
of Health and Human Services and the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced
in April a new five-year national communications
campaign, Act Against AIDS, which highlights this
alarming statistic and aims to combat complacency
about the HIV/AIDS crisis in the U.S.
CDC data released in 2008 noted that about 56,000
Americans become newly infected with HIV each
year – significantly more than was previously known
– and more than 14,000 people with
AIDS die each year in the U.S. Yet,
at the same time, Americans’ concern
about the spread of HIV/AIDS has
declined dramatically.
“Act Against AIDS seeks to put
the HIV crisis back on the
national radar screen,” said
Melody Barnes, assistant to
the President and director of
the White House Domestic
Policy Council. “Our goal is
to remind Americans that HIV/AIDS continues to
pose a serious health threat in the United States and
encourage them to get the facts they need to take
action for themselves and their communities.”
The campaign will feature public service
announcements (PSAs) and online communications,
as well as targeted messages and outreach to the
populations most severely affected by HIV/AIDS,
beginning with African-Americans, with subsequent
phases focusing on Latinos and other communities
disproportionately impacted.
Act Against AIDS is part of President Obama’s
recently announced National HIV/AIDS Strategy
reported on in the last issue of The Voice and again in
this issue. In the next issue of The Voice we’ll update
progress of this new communications campaign,
especially as it relates to outreach to Latino and
African American audiences. d

HIV in the News
Kaiser Foundation releases public opinion survey
on HIV/AIDS
Less than a year after the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) recalculated the size of the HIV/AIDS
epidemic and announced that there were 40 percent more
new HIV infections each year than previously believed,
a new survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation finds that
Americans’ sense of urgency about HIV/AIDS as a national
health problem has fallen dramatically. More alarming,
their concern about HIV as a personal risk has also declined, even among some groups at higher risk.
The number of Americans naming HIV/AIDS as the most urgent health problem facing the nation has
dropped from 44% in 1995 to 6%, according to the survey. The full results and charts on the poll can
be viewed at www.kff.org/kaiserpolls/posr042809pkg.cfm.
Eric Goosby, named by President Obama as Ambassador at Large
and Global AIDS Coordinator, Department of State
President Obama recently named Eric Goosby, M.D., as the new Ambassador at Large and global
AIDS coordinator with the U.S. Department of State. In this role, Ambassador Goosby will lead all U.S.
Government international HIV/AIDS efforts. Ambassador Goosby will also oversee implementation of
the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), as well as engagement with the Global Fund
to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
Ambassador Goosby has over 25 years of experience with HIV/AIDS, ranging from his early years
treating patients at San Francisco General Hospital when AIDS first emerged, to engagement at the
highest level of policy leadership.
During the Clinton Administration, he served as Deputy Director of the White House National AIDS
Policy Office and Director of the Office of HIV/AIDS Policy of the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services.
Georgetown University Athletes Team Up to Prevent HIV/AIDS in DC
Varsity athletes at Washington, DC‘s Georgetown University have formed Grassroot Hoyas to teach inner
city youth about the HIV/AIDS epidemic. To convey its messages, the group uses athletic games, such
as one named “HIV Attacks”.
About three percent of DC residents are HIV positive, according to a recent epidemiology report
conducted by The George Washington School of Public Health and Health Services.
“Through Grassroot Hoyas, athletes are able to use a medium, sports, that they care about to reach kids
in a powerful way, right in our backyard,” said founder Tyler Spencer. Spencer was inspired to form the
group based on his recent work with Grassroots Soccer, an international organization that uses the sport
to spread HIV awareness among African youth.
“Whether [the varsity athletes] end up going pro, going to Wall Street or to law or med school, the hope
is that by being a coach in the program they will become more conscious of public health, education and
other social issues,” Spencer added.
About 40 athletes volunteered to train for Grassroot Hoyas. Spencer says he is hoping to work with other
college and university sports programs around the country to start similar volunteer programs among
their athletes. d
THE VOICE aug-oct 09 5

Patrons Council Membership
As of July 31, 2009
Ambassador’s Circle $10,000+
Marilyn Brewer**
Director’s Circle $5,000+
Craig Benedetti & Alex Acosta
Michael H. & Nancy I. Brown
Bill Gillespie**
Delegate’s Circle $2,500+
Kevin M. Broadwater & James W. Vaughn
James E. Burba & Bob Hayes
Jeffrey Elder & Karla Kjellin-Elder
Gerald Giannini & Ralph Wilson
Anthony Glenn
Henry R. McCanless & Mark Coolidge
Robert M. Oster
Fred Siegel
Advocate’s Circle $1,200+
Wylie & Bette Aitken
Jeff L. Benedick & Duane Vajgrt, M.D.*
Dr. Joe Baker & Dr. Elliott Kornhauser
Mark L. Clymer & Marc A. Mullendore
Michael W. Cole
Jeffrey Dunlap & Layne Rackley
Karen Ellis & Sandra Hartness
Bradford J. Engelland & Jon Stordahl
Hung Y. Fan, Ph.D.* & Michael Feldman
Howard Gleicher
Mark Guillod* & Alan H. Miller
Carl O. Harvey III
Robert Haskell
Arnold Henson, M.D.*
Robert R. Hodges, Ph.D. & Charles Hensley, Ph.D.
Daniel R. Hovenstine & John Weber
Dale E. Jenkins
Michael Johnson & Taka Oiwa
Abigail Lloyd
Mark Loeffler
Veda Mabry
Maria I. Marquez*
Glen L. Morse & Douglas Coe
Judith A. O’Dea Morr
Christopher M. Quilter
Frank N. Ricchiazzi & Borden T. Miller
Al Roberts* & Ken Jillson*
Jorge E. Rodriguez, M.D.* & Ed Olen
Scott Sackin & Philip Talbert
Max A. Schneider, M.D. & Ronald E. Smelt
Jean E. Schwalbe
Teresa Siaca
Dennis C. Sieting
Richard W. Silver
Calvin L. Smith, Jr.
Patrick M. Stanton*
Jeffrey Stuckhardt* & Bill Lawrence
Vern Underwood & Carol L. Schiebel
Philip Yaeger
* ASF Board Member
** ASF Advisory Committee Member
Indicates renewal of Patron’s Council Membership since listing
in Winter issue of The Voice.
FASHION
COMPASSION
Get a Head Start on Your Christmas Shopping at Macy’s!
Shop well while doing good September 25 th & 26 th at Macy’s South Coast Plaza! Macy’s Passport In-Store is
a state-wide, two-day-long shopping event that offers organizations that support HIV/AIDS programs the
opportunity to raise funds for their agency!
ASF is selling $10 tickets to the two-day event that will provide a 10-20% discount on almost all purchases, as
well as $10 off one purchase of $25 or more. Macy’s even offers the opportunity to pre-shop using the discount
coupon 2-3 weeks prior to the event. It gets better… 100% of the ticket sales proceeds go directly to ASF!
Don’t miss out on this tremendous offer!
To purchase tickets or for additional information please contact: Chris Bragg at (949) 809-8760 or cbragg@ocasf.org.
6 THE VOICE aug-oct 09

Family Reunion and Open House attracts new and old friends to ASF
The Patron’s Council sponsored
the ASF Family Reunion and
Open House on Sunday, June 7.
Approximately 125 people attended
the event. The grassy parkway behind
the agency offices was transformed
into a beautiful park-like setting
complete with gazebo and picnic
tables. The Dixieland Band from
the Laguna Beach Community
Concert Band provided great music
throughout the afternoon. Special
guest speaker, Congresswoman
Loretta Sanchez gave the guests an
update on what has been happening
in Washington D.C. during
the first few months of the new
administration.
The ASF staff was on hand to mingle
with guests and to host the open
house where guests toured the agency
and learned about the many programs
serving the HIV/AIDS community
in Orange County. The event netted
fifteen new donors to ASF. Twelve of
them made commitments to become
monthly donors as Patrons Members
and Sustainers Club members. We
are grateful to Duane Vajgrt who
gave a 20% match to all donations
and pledges made the afternoon of
the event.
ASF Board member, Ed Todeschini
provided leadership of the event
with support from ASF staff: Ty
Rose, director of development;
Chris Bragg, event coordinator
and Fabian Valenzia, development
intern. We also want to thank the
many volunteers and ASF staff who
supported the event and ASF board
members; and Jorge Rodriguez who
did a great job at the grill keeping
our hungry guests fed!
THE VOICE aug-oct 09 7

Big Splash
Going Out In Style.
Producers save
best for last at
final event in
September.
The Final
Splashin’ Under the Big Top
Friday 25 th September
Saturday 26 th September
A variety of sponsorship opportunities are
available for those who want to celebrate
the final Big Splash in grand tradition
including the following:
Major Donor at $1,200
will receive a reserved table for 4
Major Donor II at $2,500
will receive a reserved table for 6
Major Donor III at $5,000
will receive a reserved table for 8
Bronze Donor at $10,000
will receive a premium table for 10
Silver Donor at $15,000
will receive a premium table for 10
Gold Donor at $20,000
will receive a front row table for 12
Platinum Donor at $25,000
will receive a front row table for 12
Major donors attending Friday night’s
Sneak Preview will enjoy complimentary
hors d’oeuvres and premium reserved
seats. Major Donors attending the Main
Event on Saturday will enjoy a full
dinner served at their table.
In addition, Major Donors
starting at the $2,500 level
will also have advertising
space in the Big Splash
program book.
For the past 23 years, Big Splash creators
Al Roberts and Ken Jillson have found a way
to deliver a great evening of entertainment
that, along the way, has raised more than
$9 million for ASF. This year, the 24 th , will be
the last of the Big Splash productions, one of
the most successful fundraising events among
major nonprofits in Orange County.
Ken Jillson, who has written, produced and
directed every Big Splash decided to update
Splashin’ Under the Big Top which premiered
in 2000 as this year’s show. Jillson describes
the story as “timeless” with an uplifting
ending that will inspire and remind the
audience that all things are possible.
“This is just the right way for us to send out
ASF’s Big Splash series. We’re celebrating
a great story and, at the same time, telling
people, look ahead. Better days are just
around the corner,” says Jillson.
Splashin’ Under the Big Top takes place in
1955 when the once-great Wonder Circus
is sadly forced to close due to lack of funds.
However a young runaway named Elmer
miraculously shows up the next day and
brings life back to the circus along with
hope for everyone including the owner,
Will Wonder.
Jillson says the show will be filled with upbeat
tunes, fabulous dance numbers, and all the magic
and excitement of a classic three-ring circus.
Legendary actors Jack Lemmon, Bea Arthur,
Phyllis Diller, Gregory Peck, and Whoopi
Goldberg lend their voices to the production.
ASF Board member Patrick Stanton is
chairing an ad hoc communications and
marketing committee to get the word out
about the final Big Splash.
8
To learn about sponsorship opportunities, purchase tickets and for more information

Big Splash!
“Splash has been such a remarkable
success that we decided to give it an extra
promotional push this year. Several people
have volunteered their time and expertise to
market the event,” says Stanton.
The committee is working on a number
of social networking activities to get the
word out through Facebook, Twitter and
YouTube video.
“We’re encouraging people to go to the Splash
section of the ASF web site and forward the
‘Splashin Moments to Remember’ video to all
their friends and encourage them to come,” he
said. “Our goal is to sell both nights out.”
This year Splashin’ Under the Big Top will take
place Friday, September 25 and Saturday,
September 26 on the grounds of the Festival
of Arts in Laguna Beach.
Friday’s show, a “Sneak Preview” starts at
6:30 p.m. with hors d’oeuvres and cocktails.
Curtain time is 8 p.m. General admission is
$60 and reserved seating is $110. Saturday,
doors open at 6 p.m. with dinner served at
8 p.m. and a curtain time of 8:30 p.m. An
individual reservation is $250. Silent and live
auctions and opportunity drawings will occur
both evenings.
Jillson and Roberts hope to raise enough
money in sponsorships, donations and pledges
to push Splash past the $10 million milestone.
“We started Splash in 1985 in our backyard
with a goal of raising $25,000 to launch ASF.
We exceeded our wildest expectations by
raising $33, 000,” says Jillson. “We’d love to
smash through the $10 million mark. There
are so many people with HIV/AIDS counting
on ASF for help we want to do everything
possible to make that happen.” d
visit www.ocasf.org and click on the Splash logo on the home page.
9

Friends of Dorothy Launch Another Season of Successful Fundraisers for ASF
Cinco de Mayo
On May 5 Lexus Newport Beach
hosted the Dorothy’s first Cinco
de Mayo party in their luxurious
showroom. One-hundred and fifty
hand-picked guests kicked off the
underwriting party benefiting the
Dorothy’s 2 nd Annual Fashion
Show. Lexus GM Allen Moznet
even had a $1 million prototype
Lexus on display.
The party raised $38,950 toward
the Macy’s Impulse for Spring
Fashions show. Thanks to Guy
Babusek who underwrote the
valet parking and Carolyn Stoaks
who purchased and prepared the
food for the night!
Macy’s Spring Fashion Show
Three hundred Dorothy enthusiasts packed
the Impulse Dept. at Macy’s South
Coast Plaza for the Impulse for Spring
Fashions show June 11. The runway
rocked to the voices of Men Alive: The
Orange County Gay Men’s Chorus.
The money from the Lexus underwriting
party enabled the fashion show to hit the
$45,000. Since 2007, the guild has now
raised $275,000 for ASF.
10 THE VOICE aug-oct 09

Friends of Dorothy Fundraisers
Laugh Out Loud
July 29 was a night of dockside
comedy at the Laugh Out
Loud with the Dorothy’s event
sponsored by Krol Vodka and
held at the yacht Endeavor in
Newport.
Many thanks to comedians Jason
Dudey, and Dorothy Spirus
for contributing their time and
talents. Chair DEE W IEYE
was fabulous as
emcee for
the night.
The event
raised over
$20,000.
Get Ready for Halloween!
The Dorothy’s 3 rd Annual Haunted
Halloween Costume Party will be held Oct
24, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Village Crean
in the back bay of Newport Beach.
Ghosts and Goblins will greet attendees
as they enter for a scary night of
fun. Food, wine, silent auction and
costume contest are all on the menu.
The Dorothy’s will also be
presenting their 2 nd annual Red Shoe
Awards to those sponsors who have
supported the Guild so generously
this past year. Tickets are available
at www.friendsofdorothy.org.
THE VOICE aug-oct 09 11

Membership
Chairman
Barbara Venezia
Vice Chair
Steve Bond
Membership Chair
Guy Babusek
PR Chair
Tim Dunn
Steering Committee
Jeannette Alden
Michelle Burton
Carolyn Carr
Bunny Clark
Mark Eskander
Lee Gillespie
Patti Gordon
Dean Jones
Pat Kennedy
Geoffrey Laing
Jill Lloyd
Annemarie Miller-Jones
Dolores Otting
Ty Rose
Tim Stoaks
Stan Tkaczyk
Dee W. IEye
Wizard Members
Mark B Eskander
Stan Hanson & Eve Kornyei
Jeannie Moriarty
Al Roberts & Ken Jillson
Emerald City Members
Charles Mills
Mary Raymond
Ruby Slippers Members
Guy Babusek
David & Heidi Bennett
Steve Bond
Marilyn Brewer
Dan & Maureen Callahan
Jeffrey Elder & Karla Kjellin-Elder
Jill Lloyd
Barbara Venezia & Stan Tkaczyk
Yellow Brick Road Members
Charlie Gambetta
Jo-E Immel
Kevin Lukomski
Dr. Katherine Nitta
Rita Phillips
Tom & Lynda Salinger
Toto Members
Donna Anderson
Lisa Bartlett
Loren Blackwood & Richard Moriarty
Janet Curci
Michael Donahoe
Tim Dunn
Kevin Farrell
Richard Gillette
Mark Guillod & Alan Miller
Anne Hirschman
Cynthia Koller
Casey Lesher
Barbara Lohman
Robert McCarthy
Betsy McCormick
Rene Rodarte
Ty Rose
Carol Rudat
Scott Sackin
Amy Stoody
Jeff Stuckhardt & Bill Lawrence
Duane Vajgrt & Jeff Benedick
Jean Venezia
Andrea Waite
Phil Yaeger
John Zinsmeyer
Munchkin Members
Mark Allison
Judith Barry
Kenya Beckmann
Meg Britton
Michael Brophy
Scot Brown
Michelle Burton
Nancy Clark
Danielle K Craig
Jessica Crovetto
Sergio Flores
Todd Franklin
Nancy Gardner
Lisa Gordon
Megan Gorman
John Holcombe
Tiffany Israel
Geoff Laing
Toby Lent
Richard Leyva
Abigail Lloyd
Bill Long
Marc Marger
Kelly McCann
Jeanne McCormack
Sue Ann Miller
Lori Morris
Susan Neas
Tom Neas
Karen Nilausen
Lesley Nolen
Shauna Oyler
Jean Pasco
Jane Petree
Philip Poggi
Emily Quilter
Ann Quilter
Kenneth Raaf
James Rust
David Sanford
Dennis Sieting
Johnathan Stelmach
Emily Thompson
Murray Todd
Jacqueline Tzen
Julianna Van Den Berg
Anthony Woltman
Since its inception in 2007, the Friends of Dorothy Guild has raised more than $275,000 for AIDS Services Foundation
thanks to friends like you! If you’d like to be on our Evite list for these events, send an e-mail to bvontv@earthlink.net.
You can always sign up to become a Dorothy Munchkin at www.friendsofdorothy.com. d
12 THE VOICE aug-oct 09

Another ASF Home Run!
More than 5,000 people
converged on Angel Stadium of
Anaheim Saturday, May 16 for
Orange County’s largest annual
rally against HIV/AIDS organized by
ASF. Donations from OC AIDS Walk 2009
reached nearly $495,000. This was the 23 rd year OC AIDS Walk
was held.
“Despite some real concerns about raising money in this economy,
Orange Countians showed their generosity for an important cause
even in tough times.” said ASF Executive Director Phil Yaeger.
OC AIDS Walk included individual walkers and teams from area
companies, schools, civic organizations and churches, synagogues,
temples and mosques. Donations were raised through pledges made
on behalf of the participants. Rossy Jones, a Laguna Beach resident
who walks in memory of her son who died of HIV/AIDS, was
recognized during opening ceremonies for raising $33,000 last year
and more than $150,000 in the past 15 years she has walked.
This year Deborah Reed of the Altrusa Club, a women’s service
organization, took the Top Walker prize securing $14,270 in pledged
donations for OC AIDS Walk.
Vikki Vargas, Orange County bureau chief for NBC-TV LA emceed
the kick-off program then asked KROQ radio personality Doc on
the Roc to launch the event by cutting the starting line ribbon. Both
NBC and KROQ have supported OC AIDS Walk with public service
announcements as well as news coverage of this unique event.
Participants walked 3.2 miles (5K distance) around the stadium before
entering the facility and circling the field’s warning track. Walkers
had the unusual opportunity to watch themselves on the stadium’s
AngelVision big screen. After completing the walk, participants
enjoyed entertainment and a food festival featuring vendors who
donated 100 percent of the proceeds from their sales to OC AIDS
Walk. Several OC AIDS Walk sponsors set up information and
exhibit booths as well.
Organizations benefiting from the money raised by ASF at OC AIDS
Walk include the following groups: ACTION (AIDS CareTeam in our
Neighborhood), AEGIS, AIDS Services Foundation Orange County, The
Center Orange County, Mercy House, OC Cornerstone Outreach, Public
Law Center, Shanti Orange County, Straight Talk Clinic, Inc. and the
University of California, Irvine (UCI) Education Center.
Once again ASF was able to count on the generosity of many of its
corporate and community partners with financial and in-kind coming
from a variety of sponsors. Among those aiding the fundraiser were:
Pacific Life, Disneyland, NBC Channel 4, Nordstrom, Time Warner
Cable, ASICS, Wells Fargo, the City of Anaheim, and the PIMCO
Foundation. d
THE VOICE aug-oct 09 13

Pursuing a Renewed National HIV/AIDS Strategy
While the U.S. has made significant gains in the fight against global AIDS with the
implementation of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), progress in
eradicating the epidemic within the U.S. has slowed.
New estimates about the HIV infection rate in
America are a wake-up call for everyone concerned
about AIDS in our country. Recently the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
announced that HIV incidence is 40% higher than
previously estimated, with a new infection every
nine and a half minutes. There are now more than
1.1 million Americans living with HIV, and about
half of them are not receiving care. Additionally,
profound racial disparities continue to characterize
AIDS in our country.
Over the past several years, the U.S. has lacked
its own national plan in a fight against AIDS.
However, the campaign to create a National HIV/
AIDS Strategy for the United States has been met
with remarkable success so far. The concept has won
support from hundreds of organizations and over a
thousand individuals.
On World AIDS Day 2008, the then-President-
Elect Obama recommitted to developing and
beginning to implement a strategy consistent
within his first year in office. A comprehensive
and coordinated national HIV/AIDS strategy that
includes all federal agencies to fight the epidemic in
the U.S. is necessary in order to bring together the
uncoordinated, patchwork response that has been
flat funded for years.
A national HIV/AIDS strategy can serve as
operational tool and roadmap for the federal
government. President Obama has stated that the
strategy will focus on three primary goals:
Lowering HIV incidence
Increasing access to care
Reducing health disparities in the epidemic.
As of now, questions of who, how, and when this
strategy will be fleshed out still remain unclear.
However, there is reason for hope. Among other
examples, the White House and the CDC have
launched the first national communications
campaign in a decade – Act Against AIDS. The
media-based campaign is designed to help raise
awareness about the disease, which has dramatically
slipped among the public according to a recently
released Kaiser Family Foundation opinion survey.
(More about the Act Against AIDS campaign is
included on page 4 in this issue of The Voice.)
‘‘
A comprehensive
and coordinated
national HIV/
AIDS strategy… is necessary
in order to bring together the
uncoordinated, patchwork
response that has been flat
funded for years.
This kind of National HIV/AIDS Strategy could
lead to dramatic progress against AIDS, but only if it
emphasizes bottom-line outcomes and the need for a
more strategic, accountable, and coordinated federal
response – not simply more resources and programs.
The domestic effort on HIV requires expanded
resources and immediate action to enact evidencebased
policies. Beyond those measures, however, we
need a revitalized response to AIDS with specific
targets to help lower incidence, increase care access,
and reduce disparities, along with annual reporting
on progress toward these targets.
The stakes are too high to dodge the difficult
questions and the political challenges ahead. With
presidential leadership and the collaboration
of a broad set of committed stakeholders, the
National HIV/AIDS Strategy can help all of
us – government, the private sector, affected
communities, and people living with HIV/AIDS
– establish a much more efficient and effective
response to AIDS at home. d
‘‘
14 THE VOICE aug-oct 09

Memorials
As of July 31, 2009
In Memory of Doug Quick and
In Honor of Frank Romero
Duane Vajgrt M.D. & Jeffrey L. Benedick
In Memory of
Mike Herron & Randy Duscherer
John R. La Roche
In Memory of Kenny M.
John R. Partington Jr.
In Memory of Dr. Frank Wasko
Joe V. Matthews
In Memory of Warren Weitzman
Larry J. Graham
In Memory of Jamie Jemison
Pearl D. Jemison-Smith & Dr. Burton H. Smith
In Memory of Todd Haigh
Darren & Corinne Lang
In Memory of “Casey”
Sheri E. Newcomer
In Memory of David Torosian
Michael Donahoe
In Memory of Rose Barrett-Kennedy
Barbara Venezia Tkaczyk & Stanley Tkaczyk
In Memeory of Jose Francisco Vazquez
Guillermo & Hilda Ponce
In Memory of David E. Daunch
Susan Forrester
Integrated Chiropractic Center PC
In Memory of Dino Gomez
Arthur & Ruby Gomez
In Memory of James K. Dang
Jerry Dang
In Memory of James Salmon
Darrell E. Spaulding
In Memory of Timothy Lodish
Dr. E. Michael Lodish
Terrence & Mary Sullivan
Marsha L. Tuck
In Memory of Jack Ward
Abigail W. Lloyd
In Memory of John Beezley
A long time supporter of ASF. He’ll be sorely missed by his
friends at ASF.
Al Roberts and Ken Jillson
Tributes
In HONOR OF ALL THOSE WHO ARE ALONE
Sean M. Seeley
In Honor of Bob and Karen Napack
In Honor of a Wonderful Marriage
Kergan Edwards-Stout
In HONOR of MARK PORTERFIELD
Duane Vajgrt M.D. & Jeffrey L. Benedick
In HONOR of the BIRTHDAY of
DAVID THOMAS
Jack C. Francis
Ronald & Dianne Bauer
Chris J. Longe
Patrick M. Anderson
Paul Floyd
Marienne Uszler
David L. Thomas
Westervelt’s
In HONOR of JOHN S.
Cassandra J. Thornton
Grants
WILBUR MAY FOUNDATION
$90,000 - Family & Children Programs
SISTERS OF St. JOSEPH HEALTHCARE
FOUNDATION
$50,000 - Latino Mental Health Services for
Women and Families
HOAG HOSPITAL
$25,000 - Emergency Financial Assistance and
Transitional Housing
THE VOICE aug-oct 09 15

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Save Dates
the
Splashin’ Under the Big Top
The Final Big Splash at the Festival of Arts, Laguna Beach
Friday, September 25 & Saturday, September 26
Halloween Party
at Village Crean
Saturday, October 24
ASF Holiday Party
at the Shark Club, Costa Mesa
Wednesday, December 2
New Year’s
Eve Party
Thursday,
December 31